The Grand Hotel & Spa

Not far from the train station, The Grand occupies the former headquarters of the North Eastern Railway, built in 1906 when railways were still king and their HQs had to impress. It's a five-star operation (indeed, York's first five-star hotel) and all is suitably grand – with its sweeping marble staircases and glittering public areas – while rooms are chic and up-to-the-minute. There are also 107 of them, in seven different grades from Classic (ie standard) to Penthouse Suite, the latter with its rolltop bath with York rooftop views. The theraputic spa is down in the building's vaults, behind mighty protective doors, and the pool is extremely lovely. Dining meanwhile is in 'Hudson's (named after York's Victorian 'Railway King', George Hudson), with views of the historic city walls and a menu that gives a Yorkshire-based nod to fine-dining restaurant.